Creating a ‘church without walls’

St Hilary’s Church in Killay, Swansea has seen its services transformed by technology thanks to the expertise of audio-visual integrator, Vaughan Sound.

The worship venue is located around three miles west of Swansea city centre and forms part of the Gower Ministry Area – a community of 20 Anglican churches in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon.

Vaughan Sound was approached by the parish as they sought a new live streaming solution for St. Hilary’s Church that would be ‘very simple to operate’. The primary goal was to broadcast services on their new YouTube channel, to bolster a core aim of the parish in creating a ‘church without walls’.

With capacity for just over 70 worshippers, St. Hilary’s required a system that would enable them to open up to a much wider audience, including the infirm and those unable to attend services in person.

The live streaming system needed to integrate with the existing audio-visual and sound equipment in situ, which was previously installed by Vaughan Sound and has been regularly serviced since.

Following a site meeting to ascertain the full brief and end user requirements, Vaughan Sound proposed a full high-definition moving camera (PTZ), along with a fixed camera which would focus on a close up of the altar.

Direct feeds from the cameras and an audio connection from the church’s sound system are connected into a Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro. This has been configured to broadcast to St Hilary’s dedicated YouTube channel without the need for an additional laptop or PC. Furthermore, this set-up provides the ability to access services on demand, as the streams are recorded by default onto the YouTube channel.

The existing sound equipment incorporated into the new setup includes wireless radio microphones and gooseneck condenser microphones installed at the pulpit and reader’s lectern. The direct connection provides a high level of audio – a crucial element of any live stream.

With a 30x optical zoom, the broadcast camera specified by Vaughan Sound handles the various pre-set focal positions with ease, delivering crystal clear imagery.

The camera’s complete parameters can be configured and controlled easily via the included remote control, or alternatively the onboard web server. Additionally, pre-sets can be programmed and accessed effortlessly – a key plus point for church staff and equipment operators.

All live streaming cameras are cabled and connected using 3G-SDI, before converting to HDMI at the ATEM Mini Pro. Vaughan Sound’s selection of industry leading components ensures no latency issues.

Full training was provided as part of the project completion and handover. This involved conducting a test stream to ensure that everything worked as it should and that parish representatives were happy with all camera positions and feeds. St Hilary’s Church successfully broadcasted its first live stream to its YouTube channel the following Sunday.

Intuitive control and simple operation are key features of the system – starting a new live stream before a service is ultimately straightforward and swift. In addition, a new ceiling mounted 4,000-lumen, WXGA, compact laser projector delivers powerful imagery in the church hall.

Combined with a digital stereo amplifier and a pair of wall-mounted passive loudspeakers for sound reinforcement, the facilities for church meetings and outside events have been greatly improved.

St Hilary’s Church is already benefitting hugely from the ease of use of the systems and the new audio-visual equipment has been extremely well received by worshippers, particularly those that are or have been housebound.

The parish aims to continue using the live streaming system each week to expand its network of channel followers, while supporting those who are unable to physically attend church.

• For further information and the full project case study, please visit www.vaughansound.co.uk.